EXXARO DRIVES DE&I THROUGH PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES POLICY
Exxaro has created a new Persons with Disabilities (PWD) Policy, ensuring the business continues to create an inclusive workforce where persons with disabilities have equal access to employment, training, skills development opportunities, and career pathing.
Why does Exxaro need a PWD Policy?
Having a PWD Policy is a legal obligation under the Employment Equity Act (EEA), and it aligns with Exxaro’s transformation journey, which is committed to enabling the acceleration of the employment of persons with disabilities. The Policy ensures that Exxaro works in collaboration with relevant role players to enable us to continue creating a working environment that is free of discrimination and prejudice.
How does the EEA define a disability?
A long-term or recurring physical or mental impairment which substantially limits the prospects of entry into or advancement in employment for individuals within the workplace. The impairment may be permanent or temporary, progressive, or regressive. It can be physiological, intellectual, psychosocial, psychological, or sensory in nature.
How did Exxaro go about creating this Policy?
To start the process, Exxaro invited disability inclusion specialists, Bradshaw Le Roux, to help identify any existing barriers in the business and to help build our capability in this diversity and inclusion area.
What key principles is the Policy based on?
The following principles form the foundation on which the Policy was built:
- Non-discrimination in work practices and policies in relation to persons with disabilities
- Full and effective participation and inclusion for persons with disabilities in society
- Equality of opportunities for persons with disabilities
- Accessibility evaluated and enhanced for persons with disabilities
- Respect for difference and acceptance of persons with disabilities as part of enhancing inclusivity
What is meant by “Reasonable Accommodation”?
The EEA recognises that companies need to make reasonable accommodation to ensure that persons from previously disadvantaged backgrounds (black people, women, and persons with disabilities), can participate fully in the workplace. Exxaro’s PWD Policy has established standards for providing reasonable accommodation, such as adapting existing facilities to make areas accessible, like building a ramp for wheelchair access or re-organising workstations to ensure that persons with disabilities can work effectively and efficiently. The key is to make sure that every employee is afforded the same support and advantages.
In what other ways is Exxaro supporting Persons with Disabilities?
In July 2023, Exxaro embarked on a Disability Competence Campaign to help employees understand the new policy and why creating a more diverse and inclusive workplace is key to Exxaro’s continued success and ultimate sustainability.
As part of the campaign, Exxaro organised a Masterclass dedicated to addressing the challenges encountered by individuals with disabilities, while highlighting Exxaro’s proactive approach to tackling these issues. The Masterclass, led by Ben Matai, Group Manager: HR Coal and Minerals, featured a keynote address by disability activist Musa Zulu, a panel discussion that focused on the soon to be launched Exxaro’s Disability Declaration Campaign; clarified the concept of reasonable accommodation; and launched Exxaro’s new People with Disability (PWD) Forum.
2023 CULTURE AND ENGAGEMENT SURVEY BEATS BENCHMARK WITH 57.6% PARTICIPATION
Exxaro’s latest 2023 Culture and Engagement Survey results are in, with many key wins achieved, including a 57.6% participation rate (up from 33.6% in 2020) and an aggregate score of 3,78 – which is above the benchmark of 3.70.
In the assessment, Exxaro achieved commendable ratings for vision and strategy, working environment, and sexual orientation and inclusion. However, it did also highlight critical areas requiring immediate attention. These include the creation of a psychologically safe environment and addressing issues related to harassment in the workplace and skills development of employees.
Exxaro is fully committed to addressing these issues and their impact on our company’s culture of inclusivity in support of our DE&I strategy, our values and strategic objectives. We encourage our leaders to take these results to heart, incorporating the identified focus areas into their respective functions and teams.
Thank you to all employees who took the time to participate and give their honest feedback in the survey. We urge employees to continue being open and honest in expressing their views as we collectively work towards our goal of building One Exxaro for All,” says Dr Nombasa.
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